Disaster After Disaster

Growing Storms, Faltering Aid

The costs of natural disasters are skyrocketing. America’s systems for preparing for them and helping victims are falling short.

Impact of Our Reporting

Louisiana to Drop Lawsuits Against Katrina Survivors Over Recovery Grants

by David Hammer, WWL-TV, and Richard A. Webster, Verite News

February 16, 2023, 4:45 pm EST

Louisiana Sued Hurricane Katrina Survivors for Misusing Recovery Grants. Now It Has Halted Collection Efforts.

by Richard A. Webster, The Advocate | The Times-Picayune, and David Hammer, WWL-TV

May 31, 2022, 5:30 pm EDT

8 stories published since 2022

Thousands of Katrina Survivors Were Freed From Debt to the State. Those Who Already Paid Are Out of Luck.

by Richard A. Webster, Verite News, and David Hammer, WWL-TV

April 11, 2023, 6:00 pm EDT
Behind the Key Decision That Left Many Poor Homeowners Without Enough Money to Rebuild After Katrina

by David Hammer, WWL-TV

December 13, 2022, 4:00 pm EST
An Exodus Unlike Any Other: Why Half the People in This Community Moved Away After Hurricane Katrina

by Richard A. Webster and Jeff Adelson, The Times-Picayune | The Advocate, and Sophie Chou, ProPublica

December 12, 2022, 5:00 am EST
The Federal Program to Rebuild After Hurricane Katrina Shortchanged the Poor. New Data Proves It.

by Richard A. Webster and Jeff Adelson, The Times-Picayune | The Advocate, David Hammer, WWL-TV, and Sophie Chou, ProPublica

December 11, 2022, 5:00 am EST
This Hurricane-Ravaged Town Has Waited Years for Long-Term Aid. It Could Happen Again.

by Mike Smith, The Times-Picayune | The Advocate

September 18, 2022, 5:00 am EDT
Katrina Survivors Were Told They Could Use Grant Money to Rebuild. Now They’re Being Sued for It.

by Richard A. Webster, The Advocate | The Times-Picayune, and David Hammer, WWL-TV

May 12, 2022, 10:00 am EDT